Seaham and Peterlee Police reunion

“Forget Dry January”

Stop kidding yourself. It doesn’t work. You need to get to……

The Marlborough, Charles Street, Seaham at 3.00pm on Saturday, 10th January,2026

It’s always nice to have something to celebrate and this year is no different.

January 10th is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. We’ll be doing our bit by being in the pub and not at home. Result!

This is an open invitation to all officers and support staff who served, worked or covered Seaham and Peterlee Sub-Divisions (even Traffic!).

For information, the bar is cash only, no cards or contactless.

We look forward to welcoming you on the 10th January.

Bishop Auckland / Crook / Barnard Castle Reunion: 8th January 2026 at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club

Following the last successful reunion, organised by Claire and myself, we have arranged another one for 8th January 2026 at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club from 5pm onwards.

Harvey Howell Solicitors have again sponsored the buffet.

Harvey Howell are recommended by NARPO to provide a legal service for wills, inheritance tax, family trusts, powers of attorney etc ..

So there will be a lovely buffet available for you with no cost. 

We also hope to obtain other sponsorship to provide a welcoming drink for you and chocolates/ treats on your table.

Let’s welcome in another New Year with good company among friends and colleagues. 

Everyone is very welcome.

So that we can calculate approximately how many to cater for please RSVP to:

kieranreed2004@yahoo.co.uk

Volvo N303NTN - Help needed

NARPO recently got a message from a Matt Goodall who would appreciate help from anyone who can give him some information into the  pictured ex Durham patrol car. 

"I am restoring an ex Durham Volvo 850 T5, N303 NTN and could do with some help from officers who were in traffic at the time"

If anyone can help please email Matt at:  Matt@Good.al

Death of retired Police Officer : PC 1482 Arthur Charlton

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer : PC 1482 Arthur Charlton who died yesterday morning (23rd) in Bishopgate Lodge Care Home, Bishop Auckland.

Further information to follow in due course. This initial notification is at the request of Arthur's daughter Andrea. 

Our thoughts are with Arthur’s family and friends at this sad time.

Xmas message from the Chairman

Well, at last, our Winter edition of our magazine has been produced and circulated. 

As mentioned in our Summer 2025 issue, due to various matters which I was dealing with, these had put everything behind schedule.

I have to say that this edition of the Durham Peeler has been a pleasure to put together and for once I had more content than usual. To publish all the articles, I have had to reduce the font size slightly.

Whilst the future of the Durham Peeler looks promising, I have to say that I have some concerns in respect of our Branch.

As mentioned in the last issue, Stuart Ingram has given notice that it is his intention to stand down as Secretary

Stuart has worked tirelessly during his 10-year tenure, and I thank him personally for his unwavering service. 

To date we have not been advised of anyone who is willing to take up this position . (Secretary)

At the AGM of 2016 we had the unfortunate situation where all Branch Officers, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Welfare Office all stood down.

We were quite fortunate insofar as within a relatively short period of time we managed to pull together a compliment of people who took up these roles. 

As Chairman, I have had the pleasure of working with a great team of Branch Officers since that time.

We currently have a reduced number of members forming our Branch Committee and I am conscious of reducing attendances at our Branch Meetings. 

Please support your Branch, to secure its future or the Branch will cease to exist and at that point the flow of information that we provide to members would also stop.

Welfare is one of the main factors being promoted from Head Office and we really do need help in this area. We are not looking for qualified members, just people who are prepared to assist in communication and signposting, where requested.

Winter is here, bringing the usual cold, inclement weather; please take care of yourselves when out and about and ensure that you keep warm at home. Also think of your friends and neighbours and check on them where possible, if you believe that they require help with their wellbeing and welfare, please get in touch.

Many Thanks to all who helped in the packing and distribution of the Durham Peeler to members. This is a huge task and the help given is greatly appreciated as postage is extremely expensive these days.

Finally, I wish you all the best for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

Durham Peeler - Winter 2025

 Ray Jones (Durham NARPO chairman) and Editor of the magazine Durham Peeler has been hard at work over the past few months to produce the latest (Winter 2025) edition of the magazine

Members should by now have had a copy of the Peeler  dropping through their letterbox 

Ray said: "The compilation of the magazine is very time consuming and the content and quality of the magazine relies heavily on reports, articles and photographs provided by its readers.  

If you have anything, either current or historic, please forward it to me for consideration of its inclusion."

If anyone is able to help with the packaging or delivery to fellow NARPO members local to them of the magazine in the future would they please contact Ray Jones. 

Ray is available on : 07535 261063 or via email : Durham2@narpo.org

Please note that the email address on page 12 of the magazine for Harry Angus shown as edlington@me.com is incorrect. The correct email address is : edlingham@me.com

Invitation from Sunderland NARPO ( Beacon of Light social meeting)

The Sunderland Branch of NARPO hold a social meeting on the THIRD THURSDAY of each month at The Beacon of Light which is situated near The Stadium of Light directly adjacent to The Aquatic Centre.

They have a court booked for 1 hour from 11.00am but normally meet about 10.30am in the ground floor cafe for a coffee.  For anyone who hasn’t been it's a fantastic facility and the court can accommodate 4 table tennis tables, 2 pickleball courts, a badminton court and a five-a-side football pitch.

It is emphasized that not everyone participates and there is no pressure to do so.  Some just come for the craic and to spectate.  They have been going since July 2024 and normally have around ten to fifteen regular attenders.

It is an alternative to the more formal NARPO meetings.  As the event can obviously cater for more, the committee have asked me to offer the hand of friendship to your members if they want to pop along even if it's just as a recce.  There is no charge and no need to contact in advance, simply turn up.

There is a cafe that does toasties etc if anyone is peckish.

If anyone is considering accepting this offer, would you please notify either Stuart Ingram – Durham@narpo.org.uk or Ray Jones Durham2@narpo.org.uk in order that we can monitor the take up and advise the Sunderland Branch, out of courtesy.

The next meeting is on Thursday 18th December.

Use the attached address for The Beacon:

https://beaconoflight.co.uk

Please Note:
From Sunderland NARPO Chairman Colin Dobson: "As from 26th August car parking charges have been introduced. Currently 0-2 hours: Free, 2-4 hours: £4, 4-8 hours: £8 and 24 hours: £10.
IMPORTANT: Payment will be taken via the EVOLOGY cashless parking app.
The next meeting is this Thursday 18th September 10.30am for 11.00am. I would suggest that to save time you download the app to your phone and REGISTER AND CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT. If you intend staying for more than 2 hours then the first payment shown in the app is for £4.25 for 4 hours ie the free 2 + 2 hours.
As Narpo funds the actual event this is the only expense on the day, excluding any refreshments. What I will say is that the craic and camaraderie is priceless."

Death of Retired Police Officer : Northumbria Assistant Chief Constable - Ronald (Ron)Wall Thompson QPM

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Northumbria Assistant Chief Constable, Ronald (Ron) Wall Thompson QPM, who died on Thursday 27th November 2025, aged 95 years.

Ron began his Police career in 1949, with the River Tyne Police.

He worked for Durham County Constabulary from 1966.  As an Inspector he served at Darlington; this was followed by a move to Harperley Hall, as Chief Inspector, becoming Commandant.

Ron then moved to Durham City, to the Traffic Department and then as Sub-Divisional Commander.  As Superintendent, he again moved to the Traffic Department before taking up post as Sub-Divisional Commander at Bishop Auckland and then at Peterlee.

Having risen through the ranks to Chief Superintendent, he took charge of Traffic Patrols and Operations Department.

In 1980, Ron was then appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, where he served until 1983, when he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.

After his retirement from Northumbria Police, Ron, was seconded to Jamaica to establish their Police Staff College and in 1986 he became the Chief of the British Virgin Islands Police.

Ron leaves Dorothy, his wife of 67 years, son Ian, daughter Helen, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

A funeral service is to be held at 10.30am Tuesday 16th December 2025 at Tynemouth Crematorium, Walton Avenue, North Shields NE29 9NJ

The family have requested no flowers; if so desired, donations in lieu to the RNLI.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Tynemouth Golf Club, King Edward Road, Tynemouth, North Shields NE30 2ER

Our thoughts are with Ron’s family and friends at this sad time.

Death of retired Police Officer: Chief Inspector David Cromarty

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, Chief Inspector David Cromarty, who died at home, on Thursday 13th November 2025 aged 65 years.

David joined Durham Constabulary on the 19th May 1980, serving initially in Wear Valley, before working in the Control Room and Durham City. In 1988 he was seconded to the Home Office Police National Computer Unit and promoted to Sergeant. David served as uniform Sergeant at Bishop Auckland town and Easington before transferring to HQ Personnel and Training in 1994. In November 1996 David was promoted to Inspector and seconded to National Police Training, following which he was uniform Inspector at Newton Aycliffe. In August 2001 he moved to Forward planning at HQ. Promotion to Chief Inspector in August 2003 saw a transfer to Community Safety and then to South Area Command in November 2004 responsible for Neighbourhood policing. David later transferred to HQ Communications in March 2006 where he served until his retirement in May 2010.

David was an accomplished musician, playing the piano from the age of 8. He also played keyboards for several bands and performed at numerous gigs across the northeast. He volunteered at Framwellgate School, supporting young musicians.

David is survived by his wife Clare.

A private cremation has been held but everyone who knew David is invited to join Clare and friends at a Celebration of Life for David. This event will take place at Durham County International Cricket Ground, Chester-le-Street, at 2pm on 12th January 2026.

No flowers please, donations in lieu to the Great North Air Ambulance Service

Death of retired Police Officer: Inspector 1852 Anthony (Tony) Robert Cockburn

 

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, Inspector 1852 Anthony (Tony) Robert Cockburn, who died in University Hospital North Durham, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday 11th November 2025, aged 84 years.

Tony joined Durham County Constabulary on 25th June 1962; he was promoted to Sergeant on 3 January 1977 and to Inspector on 16 January 1984.  He retired on 31st August 1992.

Tony is survived by wife Mary, son Andrew, daughters Caroline and Claire, daughter in law Angela, sons in law Matthew and Colin, grandchildren Lewis, Katie, Andrew, Ellis, Luke, Ashley and Bethaney and great grandchildren Callum, Olivia, Ebony, Charlie, Aria, Zara and Millie.

A funeral service is to be held at 11.00am Monday 8th December 2025, at Durham Crematorium, South Road, Durham DH1 3TQ

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to Leukemia Research.

After the funeral, friends are invited to join the family at Bede Lodge Social Club, Finchale Road, Durham DH1 5HL

Our thoughts are with Tony’s family and friends at this sad time.